Richard Atwell

Richard “Dick” Ernest Atwell passed away peacefully December 28, 2023 at Iowa Methodist Hospital. Richard was born in Chariton, Iowa on July 4, 1935, to Herman Atwell and Jessie (Gilchrist) Atwell.

Dick attended and graduated from Chariton High School in 1953. Dick married his wife Joyce in January of 1964. They were married 58 years before Joyce’s passing last year.

Dick started working for the Rock Island Railroad after graduation, enlisted in the Air Force for four years and then returned to the railroad for a total of forty years before retiring as a conductor from the Iowa Interstate Railroad.

Dick was a loving and dedicated husband and father. He liked to play cards and computer games and enjoyed Monday morning coffee dates with his buddies.

Dick is survived by his daughters, Melody Atwell and Corey Lorber (Rick); brother, Alan Atwell, Sr.; nephews, Robert Simcoke, Jr.(Caroline), Jon Simcoke (Kyla), Randy Meier, Matt Whitcomb and Scott Whitcomb; nieces, Kim Wells(Matt), Michelle Briley and Becky Whitcomb; grandson, Joe Lorber; granddaughter, Ally Coulter (Austin); great nieces, Jaci Meier, Paige Meier and Kaylee Miller and great nephew, Alex Miller; great granddaughter Claire Coulter.

Dick was preceded in death by parents, Herman and Jessie Atwell; wife, Joyce (Whitcomb) Atwell; sister, Joann Simcoke; daughter, Candi Atwell; nephews, Alan Atwell Jr. and Terry Meier and niece, Michelle Miller.

The family would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the staff at Iowa Methodist Hospital.

He will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

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